Career Timeline of Gareth Bale: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Gareth Bale built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Gareth Bale is a retired Welsh professional footballer who played as a right winger. He is considered one of the best players of his era and the greatest Welsh player ever. He is most known for his time with Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid. Bale also played for Wales.
1958: First Welsh player to score at a major international tournament
In 2016, his goal saw him become the first Welsh player to score at a major international tournament since Terry Medwin's goal against Hungary at the 1958 FIFA World Cup.
1989: Tottenham's Last Win at Old Trafford Until 2012
In September 2012, Gareth Bale helped Tottenham secure their first win at Old Trafford since 1989.
2005: Selection by Wales
At the end of the 2005–06 season Bale was selected by Wales for a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago
April 2006: Southampton Debut
On 17 April 2006, at the age of 16 years and 275 days, Gareth Bale made his debut for Southampton.
May 2006: Wales Debut
In May 2006, Gareth Bale made his debut for Wales in a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago, becoming the youngest player to play for Wales at the time, at 16 years and 315 days old.
May 2006: International Debut for Wales
In May 2006, Gareth Bale made his international debut for Wales.
October 2006: Youngest Wales Goalscorer
In October 2006, Bale became the youngest goalscorer for the Wales national team, scoring a free kick against Slovakia.
December 2006: Goal Count Rises
By 16 December 2006, Gareth Bale's goal count had risen to five, thanks to a late equaliser against Sunderland and free kicks away to Hull City and at home to Norwich City.
May 2007: Final Game for Southampton
On 12 May 2007, Gareth Bale played his final game for Southampton in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final against Derby County.
May 2007: Signed with Tottenham Hotspur
On 25 May 2007, Gareth Bale signed a four-year deal with Tottenham Hotspur for an initial £5 million, potentially rising to £10 million.
July 2007: First game for Spurs
On 12 July 2007, Bale played his first game for Spurs in a friendly against St. Patrick's Athletic.
September 2007: First goal for Tottenham
On 1 September 2007, Gareth Bale scored his first goal for Tottenham in a 3–3 draw with Fulham.
2007: Moves to Tottenham
In 2007, Gareth Bale moved from Southampton to Tottenham.
August 2008: New Contract
In August 2008, Gareth Bale returned to fitness and signed a new four-year deal with Tottenham.
October 2009: World Cup Qualifier Return
In October 2009, after recovering from an injury, Bale started in the World Cup qualifier against Finland and assisted in a goal against Liechtenstein.
2009: Transforms into a Winger
From the 2009–10 season, under coach Harry Redknapp, Bale transformed into a winger.
January 2010: First League Win as Starter
In January 2010, Gareth Bale secured his first victory as a starter in a league game in the 2–0 win over London rivals Fulham.
May 2010: New Contract at Tottenham
On 7 May 2010, Gareth Bale signed a new four-year contract at White Hart Lane, as a reward for helping the club reaching a 2010–11 UEFA Champions League qualification place.
November 2010: Champions League group stage match against Inter Milan
After a Champions League group stage match against Inter Milan on 2 November 2010, his teammate Rafael van der Vaart said, "Everyone is scared of him (Bale).
2010: International attention with Spurs
With Spurs, he rose to international attention during the 2010–11 UEFA Champions League.
March 2011: Extended Stay at Tottenham
On 19 March 2011, it was announced Gareth Bale would extend his stay at the club until 2015.
May 2011: Olympics Desire
In May 2011, Bale expressed his desire to play in the Olympics for the Great Britain Olympic football team, despite opposition from the FAW.
September 2011: First Goal of the Season
On 24 September 2011, Gareth Bale scored his first goal of the 2011–12 season, in an away game against Wigan Athletic.
October 2011: Olympics Football Shirt
On 28 October 2011, Bale was the first player to be photographed modeling the British 2012 London Olympics football supporters' shirt.
2011: Attacking Midfielder
During the 2011–12 season, Harry Redknapp experimented with using Bale as an attacking midfielder.
2011: Praised by Managers and Players
In 2011, As Bale developed into one of the most dangerous left wingers in the world, he was praised by managers, current players, and past players such as Luís Figo, José Mourinho and Dani Alves
June 2012: Pulled Out of the Tournament with a back Injury
At the end of June 2012, Bale pulled out of the tournament with a back injury.
June 2012: Tottenham statement in relation to Bale's non-selection for Team GB
In June 2012 Tottenham released a statement in relation to Bale's non-selection for Team GB, they stated that "Gareth sustained an injury as he built up his fitness ahead of joining up with Stuart Pearce's side.
September 2012: First Goal and Win at Old Trafford
In September 2012, Gareth Bale scored his first goal of the 2012–13 season against Reading and also scored the second goal in Tottenham's 3–2 away victory over Manchester United, their first win at Old Trafford since 1989.
October 2012: Victory Over Scotland
On 12 October 2012, Bale scored both goals for Wales in a 2–1 victory over Scotland in a 2014 World Cup qualifier.
January 2013: FA Cup
On 5 January 2013, Bale scored in the FA Cup third round fixture against Coventry City.
May 2013: PFA and FWA Awards
In May 2013, Gareth Bale won the PFA Players' Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards for his outstanding performance in the 2012-13 season. On 2 May 2013, he also received the FWA Footballer of the Year Award, becoming one of only two players to win all three awards in the same season. Bale scored the winning goal against Southampton on 4 May, securing a 1–0 victory and marking his 20th Premier League goal in his 200th appearance for Spurs.
September 2013: Real Madrid Debut
In September 2013, Gareth Bale scored on his Real Madrid debut against Villarreal. He was substituted later in the game for Ángel Di María. Also in September 2013, his free kick led to Cristiano Ronaldo's second goal of the game against Galatasaray in the Champions League. On 28 September 2013, Bale made his home debut in a 1–0 loss to Atlético Madrid.
September 2013: Transfer to Real Madrid
On 1 September 2013, Real Madrid announced the transfer of Gareth Bale for a then-world record fee. The British press reported the fee as £85.3 million (€100 million). Bale signed a six-year deal and was assigned the number 11 shirt.
2013: BBC Trio Played Together
In 2013, Bale began playing with Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo forming the attacking trio dubbed BBC
February 2014: Champions League Goal
On 26 February 2014, Gareth Bale scored twice in Real Madrid's 6–1 win against Schalke 04 in the Champions League round of 16 first leg.
September 2014: Goals Against Andorra
In September 2014, Bale scored two goals in Wales's match against Andorra, becoming Wales' joint 10th all-time top-scorer.
September 2014: UEFA Super Cup and La Liga Goal
In September 2014, Gareth Bale assisted Cristiano Ronaldo's first goal in a 2–0 win against Sevilla to win the UEFA Super Cup. Six days later, in September 2014, he scored his first goal of the season in a 4–2 loss to Real Sociedad. On 20 September 2014, Bale scored twice in Real's 8–2 win over Deportivo La Coruña.
November 2014: FIFA's "11 against Ebola" campaign
In November 2014, Bale appeared in FIFA's "11 against Ebola" campaign along with other football legends like Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Xavi, and Didier Drogba.
December 2014: FIFA Club World Cup Goal
In December 2014, Gareth Bale scored in the FIFA Club World Cup final against San Lorenzo, helping Real Madrid win the title.
2014: Adidas F50 crazylight football boots
In 2014, Bale was the first player to wear the Adidas F50 crazylight football boots.
2014: Copa del Rey Winning Goal
In 2014, specifically on 16 April, Gareth Bale scored the winning goal for Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey Final against Barcelona. Considered one of his best goals, he outsprinted Marc Bartra to score past José Manuel Pinto.
2014: Champions League Final Goal
On 24 May 2014, Gareth Bale scored in the 110th minute of extra time in the Champions League Final against Atlético Madrid, putting Real Madrid ahead 2–1. Real Madrid won the match, securing their tenth European Cup. Bale became the first Welshman to score in a European Cup/Champions League final.
March 2015: Two Goals in Israel Win
In March 2015, Bale scored two goals in a 3–0 win away in Israel.
September 2015: BBC Trio Milestone
In September 2015, Gareth Bale scored twice in Real's win over Real Betis, bringing the total goals scored by the BBC trio (Bale, Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo) to 200 since they began playing together in 2013.
October 2015: Goal Against Andorra
On 13 October 2015, Bale scored in Wales' final qualifier against Andorra.
December 2015: Four Goals in Victory
On 20 December 2015, Gareth Bale scored four goals in Real Madrid's 10–2 victory over Rayo Vallecano.
2015: Champions League Win
In 2015, and continuing into 2016, Gareth Bale was a regular starter when Real Madrid won the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League.
2015: Adidas X15 football boots
In 2015, he unveiled the Adidas X15 football boots.
2015: Extended Stay at Tottenham
On 19 March 2011, it was announced Gareth Bale would extend his stay at the club until 2015.
January 2016: Transfer Fee Confirmed
In January 2016, leaked documents confirmed that Gareth Bale's transfer fee to Real Madrid was €100.8 million (£85.1 million), making it a world record at the time.
January 2016: Hat-Trick and Injury
On 9 January 2016, Gareth Bale scored his second hat-trick of the season in Real Madrid's 5–0 defeat of Deportivo La Coruña, which was Zinedine Zidane's first match as head coach. Bale was later sidelined due to a calf injury.
March 2016: Highest Scoring British Player
On 20 March 2016, Gareth Bale became the highest-scoring British player in La Liga history, scoring his 43rd goal in a 4–0 win against Sevilla.
September 2016: Goals Against Moldova
In September 2016, Bale scored twice in a 4–0 win over Moldova, bringing his international goal count to 24.
October 2016: New Contract with Real Madrid
In October 2016, Gareth Bale signed a new contract with Real Madrid, extending his stay until 2022.
2016: Euro 2016 Semi-Finals
In 2016, Gareth Bale played every match for Wales in the Euro and led Wales to the semi-finals, scoring three goals.
2016: UEFA Euro 2016
In June 2016, Bale scored the first goal in Wales's clash with Slovakia, helping his country secure a 2–1 win and lead them to their first win in a tournament in 58 years.
2017: La Liga and Champions League Title
In 2017, Gareth Bale featured 19 times for Real Madrid as they won their 33rd La Liga title. He also played in the 2017 UEFA Champions League Final, where Real Madrid won against Juventus.
2017: Trophies with Real Madrid
In 2017, Gareth Bale featured in Real Madrid's victories in the UEFA Super Cup, the Supercopa de España and the FIFA Club World Cup. Also in 2017, he made 26 appearances and scored 16 goals but Real Madrid were unable to reclaim the title, finishing in third.
2017: Champions League Goal
In 2017, Gareth Bale scored against Borussia Dortmund in the group stages.
March 2018: Wales' all-time top-scorer
In March 2018, Bale became Wales' all-time top-scorer surpassing Ian Rush's 28, thanks to his first hat-trick in his international career in a 2018 China Cup match against China.
December 2018: FIFA Club World Cup Hat-Trick
On 19 December 2018, Gareth Bale scored a hat-trick in the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup against Kashima Antlers. He was awarded the Golden Ball after Real Madrid won the competition.
2018: La Liga Season
In 2018, Gareth Bale made 26 appearances and scored 16 goals but Real Madrid were unable to reclaim the La Liga title, finishing in third.
2018: Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup
In 2018, Gareth Bale scored what is widely regarded as the greatest goal in a Champions League final. He was awarded the FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball.
2018: Champions League Final
In the 2018 UEFA Champions League Final, Gareth Bale scored two goals, helping Real Madrid win their thirteenth Champions League trophy. He became the first substitute to score twice in a Champions League final and was named man of the match.
February 2019: 100th Goal for Real Madrid
On 9 February 2019, Gareth Bale scored his 100th goal for Real Madrid. He was also the source of controversy due to his goal celebration.
July 2019: Potential Club Exit
In July 2019, Gareth Bale was close to leaving Real Madrid, but a proposed transfer to Chinese club Jiangsu Suning was called off.
April 2020: Donation to health boards
In April 2020, he and his wife Emma donated £1 million to health boards in Wales and Spain to help in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
September 2020: Return to Tottenham Hotspur
On 19 September 2020, Gareth Bale returned to Tottenham Hotspur on a season-long loan.
October 2020: Donation for Christmas hampers
In October 2020, Bale gave £15,000 for Christmas hampers in Swansea, Wales.
2020: Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order
In 2020, after qualifying for the Euro 2020 tournament with Wales, Gareth Bale celebrated behind a Welsh flag with the slogan "Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order" written on it, humorously playing-up to the perception that he prioritized golf over his football career at Real Madrid.
2020: Return to Tottenham
In 2020–21, Gareth Bale returned to Tottenham on loan.
February 2021: Goal and Assist
On 28 February 2021, Gareth Bale scored two goals and got an assist in Tottenham's 4–0 win over Burnley.
May 2021: Hat-Trick and Goals
On 2 May 2021, Gareth Bale scored a hat-trick in Tottenham's 4-0 win against Sheffield United. On 23 May 2021, Bale scored two goals against Leicester City in a 4-2 away victory
November 2021: 100th Wales Cap
On 13 November 2021, Bale won his 100th Wales Cap during a World Cup Qualifying Match against Belarus at the Cardiff City Stadium.
2021: Return to Real Madrid
Gareth Bale returned to Real Madrid for the 2021–22 season, but his appearances were severely limited.
May 2022: Departure from Real Madrid
In May 2022, Gareth Bale's agent confirmed that he would leave Real Madrid at the end of the season. On 1 June, Bale confirmed his exit.
June 2022: Signing with Los Angeles FC
On 27 June 2022, Gareth Bale signed with Major League Soccer team Los Angeles FC on a 12-month contract.
July 2022: Joins Los Angeles FC
In July 2022, Gareth Bale joined MLS club Los Angeles FC.
2022: Member of the Order of the British Empire
In 2022, Bale was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his contributions to association football and various charities.
2022: 2022 FIFA World Cup
In 2022, Gareth Bale helped Wales qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, ending a 64-year appearance drought at the World Cup for Wales.
2022: Contract End Date
In October 2016, Gareth Bale signed a new contract with Real Madrid until 2022.
January 2023: Retirement Announcement
On 9 January 2023, Gareth Bale announced his retirement from professional football following the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
February 2023: Competed in AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
In February 2023, Gareth Bale competed alongside Joseph Bramlett in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California, finishing joint-16th in the amateur section.
